Lighter-than-air craft



April 26,1927.

7 J. s; CANDRAY LIGHTER, THAN-AIR CRAFT Fi-1d Sept. 50. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Joke Attorney 1,626,183 Aprll 26,1927. J. s. D Y

LIGHTER-THAN-AIR CRAFT Filed Sept. 30. 1926 6 Sheets- -Sheet 2 Attorney 1,626,183 Aprll 26, 1927. J. s CANDRAY LIGHTER-THAN -AIR CRAFT Filed Sept. 30. 1926 s'shaets-sneet 3 Attorney l By M April 26,1927. 1,626,183

' J. S. CANDRAY LIGHTER-TlIAN--AIR CRAFT Filed Sept. 50. 1926 6 sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor A ttomey 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 lrwmtor (/5061? 6 0/704 ByWw/ 1 April, 927 J. s. CANDRAY LIGHTER-THAN-AIR CRAFT Flled Sept 1926 Attorney Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSE S. CALIDRAY, 01 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

LIGHTER-THAN-AIR CRAFT.

Application filed September 30, 1926. Serial No. 138,886.

The present invention relates generally to a lighter than air craft and more particularly to a structure which uses a central stator core and an outer rotor covering on 6 which is mounted a spiral propelling fin and the prime object of the invention lies'in the provision of a device of this nature which is extremely strong and durable. capable of great speed, easy to maneuver, efficient and reliable.

Another very' important object of the invention lies in the provision of a structure of this nature wherein lighter than air gas containers are disposed about the.-core and the rotor casing revolved thereabout.

Another very important feature of the invention lies in the provision of a spiral propelling tin about the rotor which is formed in sections that may be moved to an ineffective position for assisting in different maneuvers.

Another very important object of the invention lies in the provision of an induction motor built in the sections so as'to obtain the maximum efiiciency.

tain novel features of'construction, and in 30 the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the lighter than air craft embodying the features of my invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section through the craft,

I Fig. 3 is a longitudinal detail section through the core,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section through a portion of the craft,

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the core,

Fig. (i is a fragmentarytransverse section through the craft taken at one point.

Fig. 7 is a similar view taken at another point,

Fig. 8 is,a detail fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the rotor showing'par- Fig. 10 is a detail viewof the induction coil used in the motor construction. 1 Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the numeral o denotes the core which is of an. elongated tubular construction terminating at its forward end in a bullet-shaped tip 6 in which the observer will be situated. A suitable entrance 7 may be provided in the tip for allowing ingress and egress of passengers particularly when the air craft is anchored at the nose as is a. somewhat common practice today. The rear end of the core has an enlar ement 8 in the form of a casing which gradually tapers to the point. This casing 8 forms the tail of the craft. In the axis portion ofthe tail casing 8 there is preferably located the control room 9 which will be in telephonic communication with the observation tip 6. In the bottom compartment 10 of the tail casing 8 there is located the prime mover 11, the preferred entrance to the craft will be at 12, that is, at the bottom of the tail casing 8 and a suitable ladder, elevator, or any other preferred means 14 may be utilized for allowing the passengers, freight, and the like to get to the core 5 of the craft. -'The relative y,large compartment 15 of the tail casing 8 is adapted to receive a large lighter than air as container 16. On the exterior of this tall casing 8 there are provided verticaland horizontal fins 17 extending longitudinally and having at their rear ends rudders and elevators 18. These are the usual controlling features of all air craft of this nature and of course may be varied extensively.

Particular attention is now directed tostress distributing features used with the core 5. This core is braced similar to the bracing used in bridges-having alternately arranged exterior arch braces 19 and interior arch braces 20 of suitable trestle work This form of bracing provides.

or the like. a very strong and rigid inner core 5 which is absolutely necessary in an air craft such as I contemplate. Particular attention is directed 'to Fig. 3 wherein I have shown the utilization of the space between the braces as compartments, rooms, or the like. In this figure the room shown is indicated by the numeral 21 and has suitable seats 22- mounted therein and baggage racks-23 sus pended from the ceiling of the room. Suitable lighting; facilities 24 may be provided. An important feature will be the utilization of piping 25 running throughout the core in order that fresh air may be delivered to the rooms, the outlet nozzles being shown at 26 well distributed. The racks 23 maybe used as sleeping bunks. The distribution of the air in the room 21 is shown to advantage in Fig. 5, it being notedthat the outlet nozzles 26are adjacent both thefloor and the ceiling. The room 21 is. provided with a doorway 27 at each end so that it is possible to,

walk through the core from one room to the other.

, Between the exterior braces 19 there are i the-annuli 28, suitable anti-friction bearings 32 being interposed between the wheel-like trestle work 31 and the annuli 28. In twoor more places throughout the length of the casing 30 the wheel-like trestle work 31 is duplicated .as is indicated at 31, and of course, the annuli will be duplicated in accordance therewith as at 28'. The trestlework 31 and annuli 28 are spaced and a wheel-like trestle-work 34 is disposed about the core between the trestle-work 31'. The casing 30 is provided with a trestle-work structure 35 disposed about the wheel-like trestle-work 34. The adjacent edges of the trestle-works 34 and 35 are provided with coils 36 of suitable formation for providing an induction motor which will cause the rotation of the rotor casing about the core '5. It is preferable, as is shown to advantage in Fig. 2, that one of these induction motors be located adjacent the nose of the craft and the other adjacent the tail casing 8. It

is quite apparent, however, that these induction motors ma be duplicatedthroughf out the length of t e craft as often as'may be necessary. This will depend, as is quite apparent, on the length of the air craft and the speed desired ,andgother features.

The spaces in the rotor casing 30 defined by the trestle-work 31 and 31' are utilized for receivin lighter than air gas containers 38 which wi be anchored to-the core in any suitable manner. By referring to Figures 5 .tionary while the casing rotates.

" therefore form the fin in will bea gas container between each pair of these braces and also auxiliary gas containers 39 between the larger gas containers 38.

I have not shown the anchoring means for these containers as this may be in the nature of any suitable structure such as is commonly used at the present time for that purpose. The 1 positioning of the prime mover 11 in the bottom'of the .tail casing 8 is for the purpose of placing the center of gravity of the craft well below the axis thereof so that the core will remain sta- I con-.

sider' this feature of stabilization more a ,matter of engineering than invention, and

have not therefore, gone into details concerriing the same as various different ways are obvious Without departing from the prin-' u and also in the trestle-work structure in order that the craft may be as light as poss'ible. This material, however, does not enter into the essence of the invention as other materials now known and others which may become known maybe well used in an air craft embodying the real features of my invention. The nose of-the rotor casing is braced by-diagonal trestle work 4051s is indicated to advantage in Fi ,2. I ha've not shown the gas containers in the no'se, but of course they maybe usedif'desired.

The letter F denotes propeller fin which is d-isposed-about 'the rotor casing 30 throu hout its entire length as is'clearly shown in ig. 'lofthe drawing. This spiral propeller fin F' forms a screw generally a s ral a great speed both in relativelydense' air and rarefied air as is found-i the qupper. strata. Attimes it will be fouln that theqentire length of this'fin F is not' ecessaryand I lurality ofsections 41 as is indicated to a yantage in Fig. 8. These sections 41 havetposts 42 disposed between them, said pos tsbeinjg properly, braced as at 43. The1ctions are .hingedly mounted on the casing-'30 as is in v 'dicated at 44. Each sect-ion 41 or a suitable number of said sections .41 are provided with arcuate racks 45 and electric motors 46 are mounted on the casing. their shafts are shing withthe obvious that these provided with pinions 4r arcuate racks 45. It is motors 46 may be controlled from the control room 9 so that the. desired sections 41 may-be folded down, that is, swung to be disposed somewhat fiat on the casing 30 portant in that it provides a great flexibility in the control of the craft as will be quite apparent. Thus the speed of the craft maya,

be increased or decreased by the mere manipulation of the sections 41 through their motors 46. The posts 42 are very important since when the sections 41 are in their upright positions they are braced by these posts 42 thereby taking the strain off the hinge connections 44.

The propelling means just described in detail above has the advantage of lending additional power for lift and fly and also for reducing to a minimum the resistance of the air. This construction eliminates to a con siderable extent all head resistance owing to the screw-nature of the propulsion.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that I have provided an efficient and substantial'deviee of the character described and while this specification manifests in detail the preferred construction of the. invention, I do not wish' to be understood as limiting myself to the specific details of construction and arrangement of parts as herein described and illustrated, as it is manifest that variations and modifications may be resorted to in the features of construction and arrangement of parts in the adaptation of the device to various conditions of use without departing from the spirit and scope of the. invention. I therefore reserve the right to all such variations and modifications as properly fall within the scope of my invention and the terms of the appended claims.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction of my invention will be clearly understood and, therefore, a more extended explanation has been omitted.

Having thus described my inventionpvhat I claim as new is:

1. An air craft of the class described including, in con'ibination, a stator core, a rotor casing aboutithe core, means for rotatably mounting the casing about the core, lighter than air lift meansmounted about the core and in the casing. means for rotating the casing, and propelling means on the easing.

2. An air ship of the class described in-. eluding, in eon'ibination. a stator core having the rear end thereof enlarged to form a't-ail -casmg, a rotor casing about the core, means for rotatably\mounting the rotor easing about the core. lighter than air lift means mounted about the core and in the rotor ably mounting the casing about the core,

lighter than air lift means mounted about the core and in the-casing, means for rotat-- ing the casing, and a spiral propeller fin on the exterior of the casing.

- 4. An air craft of the class described, including, in combination, a stator core having a rear enlargement forming a tail easing, a rotor casing about the core, meansrfor rotatably mounting the rotor casing about the core, lighter than air lift means mounted about the core and in the rotor easing, other lighter than air lift means mounted in the tai casing, for rotating the rotor casing about the core, and a spiral propelling fin disposed about the rotor casing.

5. An air craft of the class described including, in combination, a stator core, a rotor casing about the core, means for rotatably mounting the casing .aboutthe core, lighter than air lift means mounted about the core and in the casing, i'neans for rotating the casing, and a spiral propelling tin disposed about the casing and formed in sections and means for swingably mounting the sections and controlling them to an upright or down position.

6. An air craft of the class described including, in combination, a stator core, a tail casing formed on the rear end of the stator core, a rotor casing disposed about the core,

means for i'otatably mounting the rotorcasing about the core, lighter than air lift means mounted about thecore and the rotor casing, lighter than air lift means mounted in the tail casing, means for rotatingthe, rotor easing, a spiral propelling fin disposed about the rotor easing throughout its length. said fin being formed in sections, means fol hinging the sections to the rotor casing, and means for swinging the sections to upright V or down position.

' means for rotatably mounting therotor casing about the core, lighter than air lift means mounted about the core and the rotor casing, lighter than air. liftmeans mounted in the .tail casing, means for rotating the rotor casing, a spiral propelling fin disposed about the rotor casing throughout its length, said fin being formed in sections, means for hinging the sections to the rotor casing, 'and means for swinging the sections to upright or down position, elevating and steering means on the tail casin 8. An air craft of the class described including, in combination, a stator core, a tail easing formed on the rear end of thestator core, a rotor casing disposed about the core, means for rotatably mounting the rotor casing about the core, lighter than air lift means mounted about the core and the rotor casing, lighter than air lift means mounted in the tail easing, means for rotating the rotor caslit) . on the casing, and a built-in induction motor between the stator core.and the rotor casing,-

- cluding, in combination, a stator casing, a

ing, a spiral 'proplellingl fin disposed about out it the rotor casing t roug 5 en th, said fin being formed in sections, means or hinging the sections to the rotor casing, .and means for swinging the sectionsto upright or down position, elevating and steering means on the tail casing, said core being braced throughout its length by arched exterior stress distributing elements alternately arranged with interior arch stress distributing elements. Y

9. An air craft of the class described including, in combination, a stator easing';'a rotor casing about the core, means for rotatably mounting the casing about the core,

lighter than air lift means mounted about 7 the core and in the casing, propelling means 10. An air craft of the class described rotor casing about the core, means'for r0- tatably mounting the casing about the core, lighter than air lift means mounted about i the core and in the casing, propelling means on the casing, and a built-in induction motor between the stator core and the rotor casing,-

said propelling means being in the form of a spiral propelling fin disposed on the exterior of the casing and formed in sections, means for hinging the sections to the casing, and means for swinging the sections to upright or down position.

11 An air craft of the class described in cl uding, in combination, a stator'core, arotor casing, means for rotatably mounting the casing about the core, lighter than air" lift means mounted about the core and in the casing, an enlargement formed on the rear end of the core at the rear end of the rotor easing, said enlargement being in the for'm of a tail casing, lighter than air lift means in the tail casing, an induction electric motor built in between the stator core and the rotor casing and propelling means on the rotor casing. v

12. An air craft of the class described including, in eombinatioma stator core, a rotor casing, means forrotatably mounting the casing about the core, lighter than air lift means mounted about the core and in the casing, an enlargement formed on'the rear;

end of the core at the rear end of the rotor casing, said enlargement being in the form 'ofa tail casing, lighter thanair lift means in the tall casing, an induction electric motor built in between the stator core and the rotor casing and propelling means on the rotor casing, said propellingmeans being in the form of a spiral propelling fin disposed throughout the length of the rotor easing.

13. An aircraft of the class described iricluding, in combination, a statorcore, a rotor casing, means for rotatably mounting the casing about the core, lighter than air lift casing means mounted about the core and in the casing an enlargement formed on the rear end 0 the core at the rear'end of the rotor casing-said enlargement being in the form eluding, in combination, a stator-core, a rotor casing, means for rotatably mounting the casing about the core, lighter than air lift means mounted about the core and in the casing, an enlargement formed on the rear end of the core at the rear end of the rotor casmg, said enlar ement beingjm the form of a tail casing, ighter than airlift means in the tail casing, an induction electric motor built in between the stator core and the rotor casing and propelling means on the rotor casing, said propelling means being in the form of as iral propelling fin disposed throughout the ength of the rotor .c'asmg,'said last means including arcuate racksfixed to the sections and'eleetric motors'mounte'd on the rotor casing and having pinions on their armature shafts meshing with the arcuate racks.

1 An aircraft of the class described, in-

clu ing, in combination, a stator core, a plurality' of annuli on the stator core, a rotor disposed about the core and having interior wheel-like trestle-works rotatable aboutthe annnli,'lighter than air lift means vmounted about the core and in the casing, means for rotating the casing, and propeller means on the casing.

.16. An air craft of the class described, in-

eluding, in combination, a stator core, a pluralit of arched stress-distributing elements on he exterior of the core alternately arranged with a plurality of interior arched stress-distributing elements, annuli mounted about the stator core, wheel-like trestlex'vo'rks mounted within the rotor casing, anti- .friction means disposed between the trestleworks and the annuli, said annuli being disposed". between the exterior stress-distributing elements, lighter than air lift means mounted about the .core and in the casing forrrotating the'casing, and propeller means on the casing. L J

17. An air craft of the class described, including, in combination, a. stator core, a plurality of arched stress-distributin elements onthe exterior of the core stress-distributing elements, annuli mounted about the stator core, wheel-like trestle-works mounted with in the rotor casing, antl-trirl'ien means (lispnsed between the trestle-works and the :umnli, said annnli being disposed between the exterior stress-distributing elements, lighter than air lift means mounted about the core and in the 0215111 for rotziting the casing, and propeller means on the casmg,

an enlargement formed on the rear end-of the (ore forminga tail casing, lighter than air lift means in the tail casing, elevating 10 and steering apparatus on the tall casing.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature;

JOSE SCANDRAY. 

